Hello. We have a 2nd grade student who compulsively pulls out her hair. She does have a diagnosis of ADHD and is taking medications for this. The parents say the doctor recommended a stress ball, but this has not shown to work. We have also tried putting VELCRO® brand hook and loop fasteners under her desk to keep her hands busy, but this is not helpful either. She has recently started picking at the skin on her knees. She doesn't stop even with multiple prompts. She is really distracted and is not completing her work. She appears "surprised" when her name is called, acting like she didn't even hear it. We have spoken to parents, nurse, and the RtI team. What are some recommendations that you have for this student? Thanks!!
http://www.trich.org/about/for-kids-teens.html to get some ideas and suggestions.\n\nHere is a good article on the comorbidity of ADHD, Trichotillomania, and Dermatillomania (hair and skin pulling/picking). They give some suggestions: http://www.healthcentral.com/adhd/c/849319/84087/compulsive-pulling//" }" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":1049537,"3":{"1":0},"9":0,"10":1,"11":4,"12":0,"23":1}" data-sheets-textstyleruns="{"1":0}{"1":344,"2":{"2":{"1":2,"2":1136076},"9":1}}{"1":412}" data-sheets-hyperlinkruns="{"1":344,"2":" http://www.healthcentral.com/adhd/c/849319/84087/compulsive-pulling/"}{"1":412 }">There can be various reasons for this behavior, one being trichotillomania. You might browse through or contact http://www.trich.org/about/for-kids-teens.html to get some ideas and suggestions.
Here is a good article on the comorbidity of ADHD, Trichotillomania, and Dermatillomania (hair and skin pulling/picking). They give some suggestions: http://www.healthcentral.com/adhd/c/849319/84087/compulsive-pulling/ /
Thanks so much for responding! I actually did research some behavioral therapy responses to trichotillomania a couple weeks ago (again, this student isn't officially diagnosed with this condition) and we started using one of the strategies they suggest. So far, so good! Thanks again!
